The Echo asked a selection of people for their New Year’s resolutions.

Frankie Francis from Frankie and the Heartstrings perform an acoustic set at the launch of the Split festival.''For review 2011'File pic original date taken 14/06/2011

Former SAFC skipper and England international Michael Gray said his goal was to pull on his trainers for a good cause.

He said: “My New Year’s resolution is to get myself fit for the Sunderland 10k, Silverstone half-marathon and for the Tower2Tower cycle ride from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower.”

Frankie & the Heartstrings frontman, Frankie Francis, whose album Hunger was recently voted as one of the Top 20 best of 2011 by NME readers, has an altruistic resolution.

The 26-year-old, from Houghton, said: “This year I really want to give blood. It’s something I’ve never done before, but I feel really strongly about it.”

Dated: 26/12/2011'2011 BOXING DAY SEABURN DIP ''Boxer Tony Jeffries at the Annual Boxing day dip at Seaburn Beach, Sunderland ...' NOT AVAILABLE FOR PRINT SALES

Former Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon, who is starring in Legally Blonde at the Sunderland Empire until tomorrow, hopes to “learn a language, although I may have to start with English!”

Meanwhile, her co-star Matthew Kelly, of Stars in their Eyes fame, wants “to try and succeed in keeping previous resolutions”.

He added: “I am happy adding more and more resolutions to my list as it makes it easier to actually complete some.”

Like most people, Olympic boxer Tony Jeffries wants to keep a check on his weight.

Jaffa, 26, of Moorside, said: “Next year I want to keep my weight at 13st. I fight at 12st 2lb, but I’m currently 14st 4lb. I also want to be more tidy around the house.”

Miss Sunderland, Philippa Attle, 18, from Chester-le-Street, said: “I have a list longer than my arm, but I think I should appreciate things that I sometimes take for granted and to keep away from any type of chocolate. I have a terrible sweet tooth.”